The name Mudra arose intuitively when Rafael Ortega, the founder, deeply connected with the Handpan. He realized that hands are fundamental in the art of playing, creating new “Mudras” for humanity.
The word “Mudra” has emerged in eastern cultures and can convey different meanings around the world. Generally, the meaning gravitates around three fronts:
Earthly Meaning:
A hand gesture that can extend throughout the body.
Artistic Meaning:
A form of Indian dance where dancers tell stories through their hands.
Spiritual Meaning:
Seal / Key.
Rafael began his musical career at the age of 10 in 2001, as a drummer. Over time, he expanded his interest to other instruments like the guitar, piano, and didgeridoo. Playing in bands, his passion for music grew exponentially. He devoted himself to recording, studying composition and music production to enhance his skills.
Rafael developed an interest in areas like acoustics, psychoacoustics, soundscape, and 3D sound, exploring how sound impacts our mental state. He discovered the Handpan online but was not able to acquire it immediately. After years as a music producer, he noticed many musicians focused solely on commercial success, which did not appeal to him. In search of purpose, Rafael traveled for two years, and upon his return, he acquired his first Handpan. This encounter reignited his passion for music, inspiring him to study the instrument’s fabrication.
“The love and respect for this instrument make me a perpetual researcher, always seeking innovations and improvements,” says Rafael Ortega. “I chose to produce few high-quality units, believing this is the key to excellence.”
Rafael expresses gratitude to individuals and collaborators like Lucio Bonzatto, Antonio Arvind, Pedro Henrique Martins, and others, along with his family and friends, for their continuous support.
Lipe (Felipe) is an award-winning graphic designer with international recognition and a musician with solid experience in wellness contexts. In 2009, during a journey of self-discovery and spirituality, he encountered the Native American flute — a turning point that led him to numerous retreats, immersive experiences, and performances, both solo and with a band.
At Mudra, Lipe oversees sales, operations, and all company design, applying his designer’s eye and musical sensitivity to the day-to-day — from the first point of contact to after-sales support.
He fell in love with the Handpan the very first time he heard it; however, he never imagined he’d one day work in the making of such a special instrument until he met Rafael, with whom he now collaborates closely. Beyond Mudra, Lipe leads sound experiences focused on the emotional development of leadership and teams in multinational companies across Brazil.
“Being part of the Mudra Handpan team is truly an honor. Working with Rafael, someone I greatly admire, allows me to pour my experience and love into every process. For me, building handpans matters. But what matters even more is how people feel when playing our instruments,” says Lipe.
Since childhood, Gabriel has been a self-taught musician who already played the recorder. He has always demonstrated an extraordinary curiosity and impressive manual skills: he would take apart toys to understand their mechanisms, and by the age of 9, he was already repairing computers for neighbors and friends. At 13, he began helping his father with home renovations and maintenance projects, an experience that only strengthened his technical talent.
His passion for music has always been present: at 18, he returned to playing guitar and further explored the transverse flute, an instrument he still plays today. In 2012, in Campinas, he first encountered the Handpan during a performance by Phelipe Agnelli and immediately immersed himself in the world of this unique instrument.
While doing two years of volunteer work in southern Brazil, a transformative conversation with Vitor Luz changed his life. Four years later, they worked together in Handpan crafting — an experience that combined Gabriel’s artisanal expertise with his musical insight. This journey also included a specialization in Spain, where he dedicated six months to building Handpans and Tongue Drums.
Today, Gabriel has been part of the Mudra Handpan team for over a year, bringing his passion, technical expertise, and artistic sensitivity to the table. His artisanal background, paired with his musical experience, strengthens Mudra’s commitment to creating instruments of the highest quality, where every detail reflects dedication, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
The success of Mudra Handpan would not be possible without the support of countless people. Rafael Ortega expresses his eternal gratitude to Lucio Bonzatto, Antonio Arvind, Pedro Henrique Martins, Vitor Luz, the creators of the Hang, and all collaborators who have shared knowledge about Handpan fabrication. Special thanks to family and friends, who have always provided emotional and psychological support.
Rafael is also grateful for having worked with amazing people over the years, such as Mariana Ortega, Charles Pimentel, Lucas Adonay, Wanderson Vieira, and Anderson “Cipó”.
At Mudra Handpan, we work tirelessly to improve the manufacturing of our instruments, ensuring unique and personalized products. Each Handpan is hand-crafted, packaged, and shipped with dedication.
For more information, contact us: info@mudrahandpan.com.
